Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester

Creative Tourist Last Updated 7 June 2023

Tis Burton Road is the heart of West Didsbury, a beautifully maintained leafy hubbub of shops, bars and restaurants where independence is paramount.

The main strip is home to fifteen restaurants, as many shops, and half a dozen bars. Unlike Didsbury Village down the road, Burton Road has fought to keep the chains at bay, and succeeded. Beards and strollers, joggers and MacBooks make it the kind of neighbourhood that’s easy to satirise – but the atmosphere is more amiable than hip. You can buy flowers or furniture here, drink a beer brewed down the road or one shipped from New York, get a new outfit and haircut to match, buy a cake baked this morning or a vintage dress stitched decades ago.

Goodtime Games

Goodtime Games, 212 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2LW - Visit now

This new café brings something a little more niche to suburbia. Goodtime games offers a range of board games to keep visitors entertained whist indulging in some truly tasty food, including a range of vegetarian and vegan options. Goodtime Games is a fine addition to Burton Road and a very welcoming place for young and old gamers alike.

Find out more

FOLK Didsbury

FOLK Didsbury, 169 - 171 Burton Road, Manchester, M20 2LN - Visit now

With great food options, a superb-looking venue and some of the happiest, friendliest staff for miles around, Folk is a must visit spot for the perfect Sunday Roast. Each roast is well enough for the hungriest diner, but it’s worth getting some of the cider and honey-glazed pigs in blankets to truly experience all Folk has to offer.

Find out more

Lentils and Lather

Lentils and Lather, 50 Burton Rd, Withington, M20 3EB - Visit now

A top destination in South Manchester for a wide range of sustainable, plastic-free and zero waste products, Withington’s Lentils and Lather makes it easy to shop in an environmentally friendly way. The shop is really supportive of local, independent makers and manufacturers who align with their ethics, and their range is constantly evolving.

Find out more

Volta

Volta, 167 Burton Rd, West Didsbury, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M20 2LN - Visit now

Helmed by Guardian-lauded chef Alex Shaw, Volta completely raises the bar; no mean feat for a place on West Didsbury’s eats-heavy Burton Road.

Find out more

A Taste of Honey

A Taste of Honey, 138 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 1JQ - Visit now

A Taste Of Honey is a local deli, community hub, arts space and all-round friendly face. They also do a great range in CBD, if you’re into that kind of thing.

Find out more

Moth, Didsbury

Moth, Didsbury, 154 Burton Rd, Manchester, M20 1LH - Visit now

Moth is an interior and lifestyle concept store founded in 2006 by stylist, designer & owner Hazel. It sits on Burton Road and acts as a palate cleanser between the vivacious colours of G.T. Blagg’s plants and Proove pizzeria’s enticing aromas.

Find out more

Moth, independent shopping in Manchester

Where to go in Manchester

Chorlton

Bar or Pub

Fell Bar Chorlton

Old school pub in the heart of Chorlton.

Manchester

Gallery

Black Redstart Gallery

Black Redstart Gallery is located in the Northern Quarter and runs a busy programme of exhibitions from emerging and established artists.

Manchester

Gallery

texture mcr

Possibly one of the city’s most mysterious art galleries, texture is a small and perfectly-formed independent space in Ardwick.

Castlefield

Restaurant

Bar Lina Manchester

Elegant Italian cocktail bar with plush seating, low lighting and a peerless drinks menu.

Manchester

Stevenson Square

Stevenson Square, the central hub of bars and cafes in Northern Quarter. Home to some of the best bars in the city.

City Centre

Café or Coffee Shop

CUPRA City Garage

Already based in Paris, Mexico City, Sydney and Vienna, CUPRA’s international expansion is driven by culture as much as cars, and Manchester’s creative energy has clearly caught their attention.

Ancoats

Restaurant

Bruco

Bruco is a new restaurant in Ancoats, serving up stylish Italian small plates.

Manchester

Restaurant

Samsi

Long-standing Japanese restaurant on Whitworth Street in Manchester with a pleasingly affordable menu.

Chorlton

Restaurant

Yane

Friendly neighbourhood restaurant in Chorlton, specialising in authentic Japanese cuisine such as donburi, katsu kare and traditional pickles, made in-house.

Manchester

Theatre

Creatures Comedy Club

Whether you’re a die-hard comedy fan or just after a spontaneous night out, there’s something here for everyone. Open 7 nights a week.

Manchester

Café or Coffee Shop

Cafe Blah

Cafe, bar, gallery and venue in Withington

Manchester

Music venue

The Loft

The Loft is an intimate, industrial-style club tucked away on the edge of Manchester city centre. Known for its impeccable sound system and low-key vibe.

See all places in Manchester

Manchester Visitor Guides

Brewery Tours in Manchester

A growing number of breweries and independent tour operators now offer behind-the-scenes access to the city’s thriving beer scene.

Toddler standing on grass with a paintbrush in hand turning to the right to look at the camera. He is wearing a navy blue rainsuit with a burgundy and navy blue long sleeved tiop underneath. He is standing in front of large cream coloured sheets that have been strung up on a washing line. The sheets have mud marks making on.

Free family things to do in Manchester

The world's at your fingertips with free history, art, science and creative capers for all ages in Manchester.

Afternoon Tea in Manchester

The finest places in Manchester to sip Darjeeling, eat dainty finger sandwiches and slap extra clotted cream on a freshly baked scone.

Art Galleries in Manchester & Salford

Manchester's art scene is thriving - here's our guide to the best art galleries, from artist-led studios to major institutions.

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.

Bars in Manchester

The best new bars in Manchester, plus some old favourites for good measure.

Spas in the North West

If you find yourself in the North West of England looking for a spa day, look no further, check out our guide featuring our favourite spots.

Beer Gardens in Manchester & Salford

Make the most of the sun in one of Manchester's many top-notch beer gardens.

Brewery Tours in the North

Brewery tours across the North offer more than just a behind-the-scenes look at hops and fermenters. They’re a window into the region’s character.

Places To Eat Outside in Manchester

Looking for somewhere to eat outside in Manchester in these hot summer months? Here's our guide to the restaurants in Manchester with the best areas for al fresco dining.

Manchester District Guides

Didsbury, Manchester

Didsbury has the perfect split between big brands and independent businesses, welcoming all from far and wide.

Ancoats & New Islington

Ancoats, just off the Northern Quarter in Manchester, is one of the city’s most increasingly desirable neighbourhoods. Find out why.

Things to Do in Altrincham

Plan a day out down Altrincham way, and you’ll soon find that one day isn’t nearly enough. Getting there is easy on the tram, or how about cycling along the…

Salford, Greater Manchester

Cross over the River Irwell, and you’ll find yourself in another city entirely – Salford, which is enjoying something of a regeneration.

Chinatown, Manchester

Chinatown is a network of back streets dotted with Chinese restaurants – go to Ho’s Bakery for perfect honey buns, Hunan for spice and Middle Kingdom for a very affordable menu.

The Quays, Greater Manchester

The Quays is home to MediaCityUK (the largest media hub in Europe) and studios purpose-built for the BBC’s move up North in 2011.

Chorlton, Manchester

Chorlton is a left-leaning suburb a few miles south of Manchester’s city centre (and only 10-odd minutes away by tram). A sprawling hive of artisan coffee shops, boutique clothing stores,…